Saturday, May 14, 2011

In our last lab in our first game in which we usually do our assessments we used something different than balls or cones. We used a parachute for our initial games and every held it up of the floor at the ends of it with children and performed many games that we learned in our lab practice. Such as the asteroids game, the hurricane wind, the wave game. I knew my partners and Wednesdays lab would have done just those games that we went over, so decided to do my own game. We played Chewbacca says like Simon s says but since it was star wars I’m Chewbacca. I remember a Funny question that a girl asked she raised her hand and said “so you’re Chewbacca?”And I said yes and I and all the children laughed together. The possible options I gave them were raise it up, down, shake, step right, step left, clockwise, and up down shake. I noticed I was almost screaming on top of my lungs to talk over the noise that we were making from playing with the parachute, so all the kids even the furthest could hear. I’m glad we did a different game because we ended up do all the games around 6 of them that we learned, to keep the children interest and fun high.

Then we went down stairs to cool off a bit and snack, then play board games and blocks and before we had an activity which definitely increased their heart rates. My children I was working with were making star war ships using leggos. Then we brought the kids back up stairs and we all hada great workout dancing to the song “Let’s Move, Move You Body” by Beyonce for at least 4 minutes which left me sweating and out ofbreath, Then we finished it off with a pleasant cheer for all the fun we had AT St. Mary’s!!

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Today's Easter Lab was by far the best for all of us from the students to the college kids. We all have grown confident with our experience with another to work better with each other. My group and I began with skill assessment games, in which we design our games to test and see how well the children can do specific skills which were dribbling like a basketball and kicking a soccer ball to a goal. We all played our games and my game was last, I modified it a bit from the one in I practiced in lab to not make it so a race. That way there wont be a clear winner and the kids can really work on the skill, therefore we have qualitative attempts not quick ones so they can go through it faster and win the race. The game is that the students are making breakfast: eggs specifically. First they have to beat the eggs by dribbling the ball with proper technique like a basketball at hip height with heir finger tips 10 times. Once they have done that they have get rid of the egg shells: by kicking the ball in to goal, and if they miss they try again till they make it in. At first during the practical it was a race, then I changed it by making more lines that way more children are involved and not just standing around and waiting. Also to avoid it being a race I told the children that I really want to focus on the technique , and that I want to see how many we can do during the time that the music is playing. The game worked out very well but the children were really tired because I was last of my members to go. The children then got water and went down stairs to eat and rejuvenate for more fun going out side! Outside me and the older boys played god running tag we all had so much fun chasing each other but I told them to keep it safe and watch out from running into each other. We played and ran hard and then 2 kids that I had to chase just sat on the playground because we were tired so we spoke. I asked them hows school and what do they want to be when they grow up. They both told me that their on the football team and one wants to be a Coat guard while the other wants to be a NHL player. I told them those are some pretty active careers you guys must be fit. He told me his father played High School football and the same position as him Full Back. I asked them if they do push ups and sit ups and unfortunately they both said no, I told them to start even if its as little as 5 just keep progressing and going up. Then I asked if they were ready to play some more and we played in till we had to go back in side. Once we were inside we rattled some kids together and played a game of kids vs college students that they had to trick us and throw the ball between our legs as we are covering them. Finally we finished with a Easter bunny maze . In which the children had to jump over cones, into hula hops 1 leg at a time, crawl in a bunny hole and finish with a 2 leg bunny hop. The lab went very smooth because of all the cooperation we had with each other.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

When My Pofessor anounced about the 5K fund raiser, I was immideatly intrested. I wanted to help out the community that gives me and SUNY Cortland soo much by allowing us the college students learn and experience hands on working with School children. Saterday Morning comes and I'm up at 7 am, the first time since High Scool Basketball Practice and begin getting ready and brought my pedonometer. We arive there and met Jared the head of Fund Raiser than we were sent out to direct the runners and prevent traffic. We got there a bit early with no runners or anyone insight, and to get my blood pumping I did alittle warmup with my extra motivation of the pedonometer intill cars started coming. And then the first runner came running very fast yet faced with a person behind him at least the a block length doewn. With no one else in sight for another 2 minutes, making it clear that those first 2 guys were well trained athletes. Then we the 2 guys are on the way back more and more people start coming. As I'm guiding a big bunch of people to go to the left many cars come at once. So I tell my Partner Gianluca to take the orange flag while I tell the drivers to turn around and go back becuase they cant go that way for the swafety of the runners. Then when I came back I saw many of the children that attend the after school where we teach. That lightt me up even further and I was screaming good job keep it going even louder with more enthusiasm as I was watching familiar children faces. It made me remember how out of shape I was at their age, I would of never been able to run 5k not even 1K. Thank Goodness I transformed my body and went from a sedentary coach patatoe to living an active healthy life. Thats why I want to help others especially the youth to not live a unhappy and unhealthy lifetsyle like I did. Then Me and My Partner Gianluca helped a lady who lives right at the corner of where we were directing the runers to turn. We told her to wait intill it was the perfect time for her to pull out her driveway with out disturbing any runners. Because we didnt want to hurt the runners or their pace, so sh had to wait a while but she didnt mind and was happy. And told us thank you that if it wasn't for us she would of never attempted to even try to get out , that brightened my day even further. Then every one started running back to St. Mary's to finish the race and in 15 we got picked up and taken back to watch people as they finish. And recieved water bottles and had a table full of healthy foods like bananas oraganges, and bagels with peanut butter. And we got the chance to learn howthe racers got timid for when they finish. I was surprised that they use 5 different methods to accurately determine the almost exact time a person finishes. They had a camera catching the video, a person doing it maually on a machine that looks like a cash register, and 2 panels on the floor that are connected to computers. And the first panel is the main one while the second is just if the first one misses it. Is was impressive to see all that for a local race so i cant imagine what they have in Big NYC Marathons, it really opened my eyes with the technology we use in sports. Finally we finished of the day in the caffeteria as the children got pancakes and they called out the top 3 winners in each class. Then I started thinking how it the 5k Fund Raiser benefits the school and how its a great family event with children, Moms and Dads and even Grandparens running and getting closer as a family and community and helping the School. I was a great experience which I really learned from and would definetly do it again!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Our Fourth Lab themed Dinosaur Train; First we began by observing St. Mary's students motor skills of overhand throwing and the catching. Which a bit different since before we were focused more on lower body such as how they run skip and hop. Then my group and I the Krazy Kangaroos began our games but unfortunately the kids split up and we were left with a few. We made the best and most out of what we made by making sure all our kids had smiles. When It was my turn for my Rock Paper Scissors tag game. In which each possible one such as a scissors represents a dinosaur, therefore Scissors mean T-rex so they had to run a little leaned forward with short arms. Paper represents the plant long Neck Plant eater, since paper is made out of Tree, the child would run with one arm forward in front of them. And a triceratops which is a rock, the students would chase with both hands open over their forehead representing the triceratops horn. In the tag game, I would say rock, paper, scissors shoot and the children would run around looking and chasing the dinosaur that is inferior to them. Then we altered the game after a few rounds so that the children would team up and face each other. And from the two children the winner chases the person who has lost for 30 seconds before the next round starts. After helping all my group members making their games go smoother. I went and helped another group as they were doing a game in which they emphasized throwing for the children and they wanted to focus on overhand throwing so they put up a mat as a wall.Then we made it a little more challenging for the children, we put up another blue mat on top of the initial big red wall. To make them have to throw even higher and to see how the children would adapt, for example they should of stepped a little further back and throw using better technique using the whole body not just a swing of their arm. And many of the children weren’t able to throw over the second higher so they were throwing to where there wasn’t the second mat where my face was.

At first the balls were probably flying directly to my face by accident, but then when the children saw me smile and they were smiling I became the main target of the balls. It’s fun knowing your making children happy and putting smile on their face so it definitely was worth it. Then we finished with the wiggle dance and a cheer!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

I was very excited for our Wild Wild West themed day 3 Lab. really enjoy the fact we have themes for our labs , and that they are constantly changing making the lab more refreshing and interesting. I have been focusing on observing more on the children and my peers the Teacher. From my observations I've noticed a lot of progression and improvement of performance from the children and us as Teachers in comparison with previous labs. It’s most likely because we all as a whole feel more comfortable with the children, as they feel more comfortable with us. My group focus was the kindergarteners and first graders; we first started in the class room with drawing and coloring and playing blocks. Then we started our arts and Crafts of making a hoarse, the children loved it and so did I. I never would off though the shape of our foot looks like the head of a hoarse. We traced all the sneakers of the children and then cut out a RECTANGLE for the neck of the hoarse. Then we glued the neck the rectangle to the shoe cut out and glued on the googly eyes. Finally we glued on hair for the hoarse. After we cleaned up and the children ate cookies with milk. We all went to the gym to play games. The first game we played a boy named Tommy instead of playing ran to the bleachers so I followed and sat next to him. I asked if why isn't he playing and he answered with big watery eyes saying "I miss my mommy". I told him Tommy don’t worry she’s on her way, she'll be here soon and if you play the game she would be here even sooner. He said alright and joined. Then the next activity began and Tommy came to me to be my partner. That made me feel very happy and special that he chose me, because I was looking for him so I can make sure he's having fun and he snuck right under me and grabbed my hand. We did the activity of him jumping over the cones and then we played team tag and he was my partner. And in the middle of the team tag his mom came and he was soo happy and gave me a big smile and waved and said bye. That smile made me smile even more and made my day which told me this is the major for me. Afte the 2 games we all gathered around together to dance to the Cotton eye Joe . Finally finishing our day with our teamwork cheer, in which we cheered "Ye-Haa!". It was a really great day that improved my confidence and it sreally showed me I can make a difference in the way a child feels

Saturday, March 12, 2011

I was anticipating this day with alot of excitement, since we had a lot preparation for this teaching session in St. Mary's with 2 Lab practices. And especially since I practiced my game with all my class mates and they liked it so I was very confident and positive about the day. My group had the younger group of Kindergarteners and First graders. Therefore we started our session in the classrooms doing with the children. Then after playing with magnets and drawing with the children. We brought out our sponges and started our arts and crafts of making Sponge Bob’s! We gave out sponges, pipe cleaners to make arms and legs, googly eyes, and big sticks so the children can control them like puppets. The children were so excited and they all wanted make a Sponge Bob and I even made myself one so I can give it to my sister who just had her birthday. It helped that I made my own SpongeBob and sat with the children because I noticed many of the children were watching me as I make mine. I thourly explained and demonstrated to the children of how to make the SpongeBob. But they really began working on their SpongeBob when I sat down and started making mine, so they were making theirs a step behind mine. I guess it’s because they wanted to see how it’s made as many times as they can before starting. After every one made their SpongeBob’s we went to the gym to play our activity games and I gladly did my game. The Indian Caterpillar run SpongeBob twist that we are all Planktons racing to get to Krusty Krab to get the secret formula! First I explained to the children as I showed them by demonstrating with my group, how we lined up and have our hands on the person in front of us shoulders like a caterpillar. Then we began lining up the children in groups of 4 in the proper position like a caterpillar and showed them how to run. And finally we told them to start the relay race once the music begins, the music goes, and they begin little by little already loosing formation and just running to the other side while the younger children are a step slower and getting surpassed in the relay race. The race ended and we had winner and we made them do it again, the children had a lot of fun but the game may be for a slightly older crowd to have better formation. But overall the game was not bad the children all had fun and laughs, and got their heart rate up competing against each other running to half court. We then had a good maze for the Kids of Bikini Bottom that they had to crawl and avoid the jelly fingers then walk like crabs for Mr. Crab. I really enjoyed the thought and imagination of the set up, very clever, and hopefully I”ll make a maze game in future classes. What a great day I had with the children we did it all, first we drew, played with magnets and legos, then arts and crafts making Sponge Bobs. Then we got the kids moving playing many games related with Sponge Bob to build excitement for not only the kids but us Teacher Candidates!

Saturday, March 5, 2011

In our Practice Lab we practiced all our games and I really put in a lot of thought and creativity into my game really wanted to practice it too see if it's as good as I think it is. We warmed up with 2 tag games; a temple tag and noodle tag Game. To get our blood pumping and then we got into our Lab groups. We all spoke about activities that will do at St. Mary's. We each discussed our games and I thankfully I really liked my game and so did everyone else in my group, so I told my TA Frank if I should share it with the class he said sure why not. We got out of our Lab groups and started sharing with the class. I began getting really excited, and a bit anxious, because I played the game many times as a child and I know exactly how to play. The hard part is to make everyone else understand how to play the games just as well as I do.Then when we were asked to demonstrate, I raised my hand took a deep breath, stepped forward and remembered to speak loud and treat my peers somewhat like children. I explained the game of Indian caterpillar and gave them the little story correlating it to the SpongeBob cartoon. That we are all Planktons; racing each other to the other side to the Krusty Krab to get the secret formula of the crabby patty. I then demonstrated with my group the Krazy Kangaroos. And we began the relay race to the other baseline of the gym. Thankfully it seemed like everyone was having a blast. And then we did it backwards which much more coordination and focus to run backwards without tripping, and then quickly lining up without bumping to anyone, it’s a great variation but may be too advanced for an elementary school. I was glad my game went great because it works on your coordination, brings up your heart rate and is very competitive making you want to push yourself to work harder and run faster. I had a good feeling that it was good game, but I was really glad to hear all the compliments about how well or fun the game is. After my game we played one more and then finished in the gym and went to a class room. In which learned more about teaching children, as I had a smile on my because of the success of my game, it really made my day.

Friday, February 11, 2011

It has came, the first day that we would teach and the second time that SUNY Cortland has visited St. Mary"s for the Spring Semester. I was very excited and and had anticipation building up day by day especially after I injured my ankle the Thursday before our Lab. I tried treating my ankle the very best I can so I wont miss any activity classes or especially not being able to participate on Mondays Lab. Monday comes and my ankle was still to swollen especially with my ankle brace which allows me to walk with minimal pain, to be able to fit in any of my sneaker unfortunately I had to wear my boots to class. I wanted to be able to jump around and be active like the kids, not just stand there and watch them as I give directions. So the whole weekend before the Monday Lab I stood in my room with my ankle iced and elevated and didn't go any where with out my crutches. My group is the Special Projects group, and first we went in to the back to clean and organize their equipment room. By taking everything out leaving and almost empty room to then organizing it in such a way that we were able to walk in and out, and we organized with a theme you may say like we had the balls on one side while the plastic toys on the other. Once we were done organizing we went to the gym and we played the game in which we made a circle and their was a noodle in the middle which represented the sword. A person holding the noodle or sword would tap anyone with the noodle and have to to run to the middle to drop of the noodle and run back to the open spot. As he is is getting chased by the person that was tapped, the person who got tapped would try to get the sword and taps him back before he gets to the spot on the circle. We played the game in till the children began to loose interest and Mr. Yang noticed and told us to play with the kids playing soccer and basketball. First I tried to play some soccer with a child named Louis, he was very talented especially for his age. I tried to play with him by kicking with my healthy foot but it was hurting to balance with my bad ankle as I kick with my healthy foot. So I played basketball with a bunch girl which were also surprisingly talented especially for their age. One of the girl I remember had a sense of humor she told me her name was Fred and she with the rest of the girls played basketball for St. Mary's. She told me her Uncle"s name is Kanye, I made a face and she knew Kanye West the music artist came to my mind and then she said his full name is Kanye East.. I found that funny because she knew what I was thinking as soon as she said Kanye. Then I saw my good friend Gianluca and showed him the child Louis because they're are both soccer players, and Gianluca would know much more about soccer and how talented he really is. And then they spoke about soccer as I went back to the girls who play basketball and began to shoot with them. First we played a little game in which who first would make 10 shots me with my left hand or all the girls from wherever they want. I won and then they wanted to play knockouts. It been a while since I have played knockout I forgot the game was called that. And surprisingly its like these girls and the boys started joining because they liked that game too. They kept beating me its like they were professional in the that game of basketball. I kept trying to win so we kept playing and they wanted to keep playing because they were winning. I wanted to play so I could finally win and I never did, I did have a bad ankle but still I played basketball for more than these children were alive I should of won at least a game. I was impressed how talented these children were in Sports and I'm sure they were just as if not more impressive academically. Then before we left, My group and I played a tag game called wolf and sheep with all the children that were left. That once you get tagged by a wolf you become a wolf and tag others as they run from baseline to baseline. Then we finished the day off we Wiggles shake song. We were all walking in circles shaking our arms and legs even boobing our heads in the middle of the circle and then one by one we joined the rest of the class in the outer circle. The first real teaching I would say is a success I tried to not let my injury affect the way I was playing with the kids. Overall I had fun and the children had fun therefore I was very happy with how our Monday lab went!